Our mission is to tell news stories about remarkable people who are making a difference in the world. We also make it our job to know about all facets of the media. We know which media outlets are respected, credible and trustworthy, and we know which media outlets are not to be trusted.
We know who owns each media outlet, and how news can sometimes be slanted according to each owner’s political, financial or religious agenda.
We can identify the media outlets that are funded by sources whose primary mission is to spread disinformation, conspiracy theories, confusion and downright lies.
Whenever you read, see or hear news, always consider the source. We’ve been in the media business for a long time and can spot the fake from what is real. We want to help you to be a discerning consumer of news.
How to Spot Fake News
Here are a few tips to help you recognize fake news.
1. Consider the source. Who do you think placed the news story? Who stands to benefit? Who will be cast in a favorable light? Are there winners and losers?
2. Is the news story fair and balanced? Does it present more than one point of view? Is the story slanted with obviously political leanings without presenting facts to support multiple viewpoints?
3. Cross-check the news. Check top-tier media outlets (New York Times, Washington Post, your regional newspaper, e.g., Seattle Times, Des Moines Register, Baltimore Sun, etc.) to see how they are covering the same topic. If they are not covering the same story, then you might have encountered fake news.
4. Recognize that top-tier media is not totally unbiased. Understand that the most respected media outlets in the nation are still politically predisposed to be liberal, conservative, radical, reactionary, and even fringe. Understand where they are coming from so you can make an informed opinion.
5. Use Common Sense. When in doubt, use your brain. If news about Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt links to skin care products, chances are the news is fake. If a story sounds preposterous, it is likely to be fake news. Did you really believe that Pope Francis endorsed Trump for President?
We’ll also let you know about the current state of media, trends and developing stories that are dominating the news cycle.
Aside from writing stories about remarkable people, we also write essays and articles that shed light on how the media works, thereby helping you to develop your own critical thinking skills.
See our Media Resources Section for a list of media outlets and media monitoring organizations. If you have questions about our Media Resources Section, or you are seeking additional information, please contact us news@prforpeople.com.
Our aim is to empower you by understanding how the media works and how you can use it to your own best advantage. We also offer you guidelines for responding to media requests. Please review Media Tips for our Clients. If you feel that you need media skills training, please contact our partner Xanthus Communications at xanthus@xanthuscom.com.